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Wisconsin Department of Revenue

 Wisconsin Electronic Filing Program Information
for Tax Professionals

Tax professionals that produce returns for electronic transmission are called Electronic Return Originators (EROs). The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must approve all EROs.

How to become an authorized Electronic Return Originator (ERO) with the State of Wisconsin

  1. Tax professionals must complete an online application with the IRS to participate in the Federal Electronic Tax Administration e-filing Program. For more information about the IRS application process, visit their web site or call the IRS regional office in Milwaukee at (414) 297-3574 or call toll free at 1-866-255-0654.

  2. Once the IRS has accepted you as an ERO, you will automatically be accepted as an authorized ERO in Wisconsin. As a tax professional, you should be in good standing with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for both business and personal tax liabilities.

  3. Wisconsin Department of Revenue (WDOR) will no longer send out acceptance letters. Publication 115, 2008 Handbook for Federal/State Electronic Filing, is available to download from our website.

  4. The WDOR has a data base on our website for taxpayers to locate a tax preparer in their area. Please check out our website at http://www.revenue.wi.gov/eserv/city/index.html to see if you are on the data base and that all your information is correct. If you need to add or change any information please contact us by phone, fax or e-mail.

Steps to electronically file Wisconsin income tax returns

  1. Tax Professionals select their tax preparation software.

    Software developers create tax preparation software with the capability to transmit electronic returns using an Internet connection or a modem. Tax professionals purchase this software and use it to prepare federal and state returns. All e-filing software that includes Wisconsin must pass testing with both the IRS and DOR.

    • For more information about choosing electronic filing software, visit the IRS web site for Tax Professionals.
    • For information about approved Wisconsin software, please review the table below.

    Name Website
    ATX
    www.atxinc.com
    Crosslink/Petz Enterprises Inc
    www.petzent.com
    Direct Alliance/ACA Inc
     
    Drake Software
    www.drakesoftware.com
    eSmartTax/C&S Technologies
    www.eSmartTax.com
    FileYourTaxes.com www.FileYourTaxes.com
    GoSystem RS/GoSystems CD www.thomsonreuters.com
    H & R Block/Rapid Refund
    www.hrblock.com
    Intellitax Classic/Orrtax
    www.orrtax.com
    La Certe www.lacertesoftware.com
    Max1040/1040 Office/ATX
    www.atxinc.com
    OnLine Taxes Pro
    oltpro.com
    states@olt.com
    ProSeries/Intuit
    www.proseries.com
    www.intuit.com
    Prosystemfx/CCH Inc www.tax.cchgroup.com
    Profiler
    www.JacksonHewitt.com
    Softax06
    www.softax-inc.com
    TaxAct/2nd Story Software
    www.taxact.com
    TAX$IMPLE
    www.taxsimple.us
    TaxSlayer Pro
    www.TaxSlayerpro.com

    Taxsoftware.com

    info@taxsoftware.com
    TaxVision/NTS
    www.netslink.com
    TaxWise/Universal Tax Systems, Inc.
    www.taxwise.com
    Taxworks
    www.taxworks.com
    TurboTax Intuit
    www.turbotax.intuit.com
    Ultra Tax
    www.creativesolutions.com

  2. Tax Professionals electronically transmit tax return information.

    A federal and state return can be transmitted together as one electronic message to the IRS in one of two ways:

    1. Direct transmission to the IRS. EROs choosing the "direct" transmission method will have to test the compatibility of their modems with the IRS.
    2. Transmission to a third party software company. EROs choosing the "third party" method do not have to go through compatibility testing with the IRS.

    Wisconsin electronic returns are processed at the IRS Service Center in Kansas City, MO.

  3. IRS receives the electronic transmission, matches the social security number to the name on the return, and acknowledges receipt of the federal return.

    Once the IRS receives the transmission, the federal return is either accepted or rejected based on established criteria. The IRS will generate a federal acknowledgment the following business day that indicates receipt of the return as well as its processing status. If the federal return is rejected, the acknowledgment will state why and list the detected errors.

    The DOR does not receive any state return information associated with a rejected federal return.

    Information about ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

    1. If returns are transmitted to a software company, the federal and state acknowledgments will be sent back to the software company. EROs retrieve federal and state acknowledgments from their software providers.
    2. If the returns are transmitted directly to the IRS, the federal and state acknowledgment will be sent directly back to the ERO.
    3. The federal acknowledgment is issued within 24 hours of the original transmission.
    4. Wisconsin acknowledgments will be available 48 to 72 hours after transmission of tax returns.

  4. Wisconsin Department of Revenue receives the state return from the IRS.

    The Wisconsin tax return data associated with an accepted federal return will be forwarded to the DOR for processing. This usually occurs the day after the federal acceptance. Therefore, the DOR typically receives the state return two days after the initial transmission to the IRS. The DOR begins processing the same day the data is received from the IRS.

  5. A State-Only return may be filed, if your software developer supports it.

    The return is still transmitted through the IRS. Transmissions must be accomplished according to IRS procedures. All Wisconsin returns must include a copy of the corresponding federal return in the unformatted records. Possible reasons to file a State-Only return:

    1. No federal filing requirement
    2. Federal return has already been filed
    3. Filing as married filing separate
    4. Original state filing was rejected

    In the State-Only program, the state data is made available to Wisconsin Department of Revenue within 24 hours for retrieval.

    If your software vendor supports State-Only and your Wisconsin return was rejected, you can resubmit the return.

  6. Form W-RA Wisconsin required attachments for electronic filing.

Retained by the ERO for four years unless notified by the DOR:

Sent by the ERO to the DOR within 48 hours after Wisconsin acknowledgment is received.

Returns that Include ERO or Taxpayer Instructions Using the U.S. Postal Service Using a Private Mail Service Provider
Homestead Credit Mail the W-RA * along with all the required attachments (W-2s, W-2Gs, 1099-Rs, original rent certificate(s) or copies of the 2008 property tax bill(s) payable in 2009, homestead credit notes, schedules, deeds, legal documents and statements, and all Schedule H attachments listed in the 2008 Schedule H instructions). Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8977
Madison, WI 53708-8977
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Tax Paid to Another State Mail the W-RA * with a complete copy of your income tax return from the other state(s) or a copy of your Schedule 3K-1 or 5K-1 if the credit is based on tax paid by a pass-through entity. Also, mail copies of any W-2s, W-2Gs, and 1099s. Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Historic Rehabilitation Credit Mail the W-RA * with all the required attachments in the 2008 Schedule HR instructions (A copy of the final certification of completed work from the National Park Service, for properties not yet listed in the National Register of Historic Places, attach a copy of the signed letter from the National Park Service certifying that the completed rehabilitation meets the “Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation”. If you haven’t received the final certification by the time the tax return is filed, attach a copy of the “Historic Preservation Certification (Part 2 – Description of Rehabilitation).” Attach a copy of the final certification of completed work to the first income tax return filed after receipt of the final certification along with an explanation of the amount and the years in which the credit was claimed. If the credit is passed through from a partnership, LLC treated as a partnership, tax option (S) corporation, estate, or trust, attach a copy of your Schedule 3K-1, 5-K1, or 2K-1 instead of the final certification. Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Development Zone Credit Mail the W-RA * with all the required attachments in the 2008 Schedule DC instructions (A copy of your certification for tax benefits issued by the Department of Commerce and a statement from the Department of Commerce verifying the amount of the investment and verifying that the property is qualified property or a statement from the Department of Commerce verifying the amount of credit for environment remediation and for job creation or retention. If the development zones credit is passed through from a tax option (S) corporation, partnership, LLC treated as a partnership, estate, or trust, attach a copy of your Schedule 5K-1, 3K-1, or 2K-1 instead of the above information.) Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Technology Zone Credit Mail the Form W-RA * with all the required attachments in the 2008 Schedule TC instructions (A copy of your certification for tax benefits issued by the Department of Commerce, a statement from the Department of Commerce verifying the amount of your credits for property taxes paid, capital investments made, and wages paid for jobs created in a technology zone. If the technology zone credit is passed through from a tax option (S) corporation, partnership, LLC treated as a partnership, estate, or trust, attach a copy of your Schedule 5K-1, 3K-1, or 2K-1 instead of the above information). Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Internet Equipment Credit Mail the W-RA * along with all the required attachments listed in the 2008 Schedule IE instructions (A copy of your certification issued by the Department of Commerce and verification of expenses, also from the Department of Commerce). Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Enterprise Zone Jobs Credit Mail the W-RA * along with all required attachments in the 2008 Schedule EC instructions (A copy of your certification and verification of expenses both from the Department of Commerce). Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Dairy Manufacturing Facility Investment Credit Mail the W-RA * along with all required attachments in the 2008 Schedule DM instructions (A copy of your certification from the Department of Commerce). Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Farmland Preservation Credit Mail the W-RA * along with all the required attachments (W-2s, W-2Gs, 1099-Rs, real estate tax bills, and all other Schedule FC attachments listed in the 2008 Schedule FC instructions). Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Eligible Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit Mail the W-RA * along with real estate tax bill(s) for all taxes paid in 2008 and DVA (Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs) verification, if required. Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Model Form - Wisconsin Legislators Making IRC Section 162(h) Election Mail the W-RA * along with a copy of the 2008 Model Form. Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Angel Investment Credit Mail the W-RA * with a copy of the new business venture certification form provided by the Department of Commerce and the tax credit verification form issued by the Department of Commerce or a copy of your Scheduke 3K-1 or 2K-1. Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Early Stage Seed Investment Credit Mail the W-RA * with a copy of the certification issued by the Department of Commerce to the business and to the fund manager and a statement from the fund manager containing (1) name and address of the fund manager and (2) for each investment, the date, total amount of investment, amount invested in a qualified new business venture, and amount of tax credit or a copy of your Schedule 5K-1, 3K-1, or 2K-1. Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Film Production Company Investment Credit Mail the W-RA * with a copy of the certification from the Department of Commerce that the credits claimed are for expenses related to establishing a film production company in Wisconsin or a copy of your Schedule 5K-1, 3K-1, or 2K-1. Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Film Production Services Credits (Schedule FP) Mail the W-RA * with a copy of the approved application from the Department of Commerce or a copy of your Schedule 5K-1, 3K-1, or 2K-1. Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan Assessments Credit Mail the W-RA * with a copy of your Schedule 5K-1 or 3K-1. Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Manufacturing Investment Credit Mail the W-RA * with a copy of the certification from the Department of Commerce. Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713
Minnesota Reciprocity Mail the W-RA * with the Form W-222 and a copy of your Minnesota income tax return. Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8967
Madison, WI 53708-8967
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 1-151
2135 Rimrock Rd.
Madison, WI 53713

* Form W-RA is provided by your tax professional or is part of your software package or web-based filing program. It may be printed from your computer.

Retained by taxpayer in case required to submit at a later date.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Electronic Filing Unit
P.O. Box 8949
Madison, WI 53708-8949
Phone: (608) 264-6886
Fax: (608) 266-9829
E-Mail Additional Questions

Last updated May 1, 2009